Rifle cover



p 1969 s. G. GANTRESS 3,437,247

RIFLE COVER Filed Feb. 1, 1967 INVENTOR.

STEPHEN G. GANT/ZESS BY ATTORNEY- 3,437,247 Patented Apr. 8, 1969 3,437,247 RIFLE COVER Steven G. Gantress, 1254 Dodge Road, Getzville, N.Y. 14068 Filed Feb. 1, 1967, Ser. No. 613,291 Int. Cl. F41c 27/00 US. Cl. 2242 7 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A rifle cover for protecting a rifle from the elements but which permits the rifle to be fired while encased in the cover which consists of an elongated casing having a first reverse cult for selectively opening and closing one end for permitting the rifle to be inserted within the easing and a second reverse cuff for selectively opening and closing the opposite end to permit selective exposing of the muzzle, and a selectively closable opening to permit access to the firing mechanism without removing the rifle from the casing, the casing being fabricated from lightweight, transparent foldable material which permits it to be carried in a pocket when not in use, the transparency permitting the rifle to be seen while encased, to enhance ease of firing while so encased.

Background the invention The present invention relates to an improved rifle cover for completely encasing the rifle against rain, dirt and mud while it is being carried and which permits the selective firing of the rifle while encased by the cover.

Hunters and other users of rifles frequently are subjected to inclement weather, such as rain or snow, while hunting. As a result, an unprotected rifle is generally exposed to the elements which in turn necessitates its cleaning. In the past, various type of rifle covers have been proposed for protecting a rifle under the foregoing cir cumstances. However, these covers have had certain short comings which made them inconvenient for use While hunting. Certain of the covers were rigid, in the form of a case, and it was therefore inconvenient to insert the rifle to protect it and remove the rifle therefrom when it was desired to fire the rifle. In addition, it was inconvenient to carry such cases in addition to the rifle. Other covers which were flexible also possessed this shortcoming and in addition did not permit the rifle to be fired while encased within the cover. Other covers only covered the firing mechanism of the rifle but left the re mainder including the barrel and stock exposed, but required removal of the rifle for firing. Still others which permitted the rifle to be fired While partially encased in the cover, left the trigger or the pump action to be exposed at all times. In short, the prior rifle covers having the above mentioned features did not permit the convenient encasing of a rifle for protection against the elements while still permitting the rifle to be fired, as required, or were cumbersome and therefore inconvenient to carry while hunting. It is with a rifle cover which overcomes the foregoing shortcomings that the present invention is concerned.

Summary of the invention It is accordingly one object of the present invention to provide an improved rifle cover which is lightweight and foldable so that it can easily be carried in the pocket of a hunter when it is not being used and which can be easily unfolded and slipped over a rifle to completely encase the rifle and protect it against the elements during inclement weather.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved rifle cover which, while completely covering the rifle, permits selective access to the trigger and pump mechanism for firing in an extremely simple and convenient manner.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved rifle cover which includes closing means located proximate the muzzle for selectively uncovering the muzzle when firing is desired. Other objects and attendant advantages will readily be perceived hereafter.

The improved rifle cover of the present invention consists of a lightweight elongated plastic bag-like member generally in the shape of a rifle, having an opening at one end for receiving the rifle, and a second opening at the other end for permitting the rifle to be fired while encased in the cover. Reverse cuffs are provided at the two openings for selectively closing the cover to protect the rifle against the elements. In addition, a selectively closable opening is located intermediate the ends of the cover for permitting access to the trigger and firing mechanism, such as the pump. The cover is preferably made from an extremely flexible lightweight material, such as polyethylene, which permits the cover to be folded and carried in the pocket of a hunter when not mounted to encase the rifle. By the use of the foregoing improved gun cover, the rifle can be protected against inclement weather while being carried during hunting and the opening proximate the muzzle and the central opening can be selectively opened to permit firing of the rifle while encased in the cover, without exposing the remainder of the rifle to the elements. The present invention will be more fully understood when the following portions of the specification are read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Brief description of the drawing FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of one type of gun cover;

FIGURE 2 is a modified version of the cover of FIG- URE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a view taken substantially along line 33 of FIGURE 1 and showing the stock end of the cover in closed condition;

FIGURE 4 is a view similar to FIGURE 3 but showing the stock end of the cover in open condition for receiving a rifle;

FIGURE 5 is a view taken along line 5-5 of FIGURE 1 and showing the muzzle end of the cover in closed condition; and

FIGURE 6 is a view similar to FIGURE 5 but showing the muzzle end of the cover in open condition.

Description of the preferred embodiments The improved rifle cover of the present invention includes an elongated tapered casing 10 having opposite side portions 11 and 12 fabricated from a suitable lightweight plastic material, which is preferably transparent so that all parts of the rifle may be viewed therethrough for ease of firing. If desired, sides 11 and 12 may be tinted or otherwise colored to dull the finish, to cut down reflection, while preserving the transparency of the casing. Sides 11 and 12 may be fabricated from polyolefin resins, such as polyethylene and polypropylene, or vinyl resins, its copolymers, or modified vinyls, or cellulose plastics. Sides 11 and 12 are heat sealed at their upper and lower edges 13 and 14 to join the two halves. Side 12 terminates at its larger or stock end at flap 15 and at its smaller end at flap 16. As can be seen from FIGURE 4, the end portion 17 of side 11 is turned back to lay over side 11 and the heat seals 13 and 14 fasten the upper and lower portions of portion 17 against side 11. This construction provides a reverse cuff which causes the large end of casing 13 to be opened when portion 17 is in the position shown in FIGURE 4, and to be closed when portion 17 is turned over to the position shown in FIGURE 3. When the large end is in the open position shown in FIGURE 4, the rifle may be inserted into casing 10 by first inserting the muzzle through the opening at the large end and then pulling casing 10 over the rifle. Thereafter, flap 15 is placed across the stock of the rifle, and portion 17, which forms the reverse cufl', is turned over the end of the casing so that it occupies the position shown in FIGURE 3 to thereby effectively provide a seal at the stock end of the rifle to hold the casing in position. A tape 17' encircles the end of portion 17 and side 12 to prevent tearing when cuff 17 is manipulated.

The small or muzzle end of casing 10 also includes a reverse cuff as shown in FIGURES and 6. Side 12 terminates in a flap 16. Side 11 has a portion 18 which is turned back on side 11 prior to heat sealing the two sides 11 and 12 together so that heat seals 13 and 14 secure end portion 18 to side 11 along the upper and lower edges thereof, while leaving end portion 19 free. As can be seen from FIGURE 6, portion 18 forms a reverse cuif which when pulled to the right in FIGURE 6 will move across the end of the casing to occupy the position shown in FIGURE 5 and thus close the muzzle end of casing 10, thereby protecting the muzzle of the rifle. However, before cuff portion 18 closes the muzzle end, flap 16 is placed across the muzzle of the rifle to provide added sealing. A tape 18' encircles the end of cuff 18 and side 12 to prevent tearing when cuff 18 is manipulated.

As noted above, the improved casing of the present invention is of extremely lightweight material so that it can be folded into a packet possibly two to three inches across, about a half-inch thick, and a few inches high, so that it can fit conveniently into a shirt or pants pocket of a hunter. The rifle casing 10 is carried in this manner during normal hunting when the weather is dry and the rifle can be exposed without becoming wet. However, in the event the hunter should be caught in the rain or snow or if he is hunting in the damp woods, in order to protect the rifle, he need merely insert the rifle into casing 10 in the manner described in detail above and, if he does not expect to fire the rifle, closing means at the muzzle end may remain closed so that the rifle is protected. However, in the event that the hunter should desire to continue hunting in the rain, he need merely open the reverse cufl 18 at the muzzle to permit the muzzle to protrude. Thereafter, he may keep the rifle within the casing, and if game is cited, he can open slide fastener 20 in the side 11 to permit access to the firing mechanism of the rifle, including the trigger, safety and cocking mechanism. The hunter need merely then place the rifle, while encased in casing 10 to his shoulder, and fire it while the muzzle end of the casing is open. However, if desired, and an emergency dictates, the rifle can be fired while reverse cuif 18 closes the muzzle end of the casing, and the end of the casing will merely become perforated, which should not preclude its subsequent reuse, as required.

The modification of FIGURE 2 differs from FIGURE 1 in that slide fastener 21 is located at the bottom of the casing, namely, at the junction of sides 11' and 12', along seam 14'. This construction is for permitting a casing 10 to be mounted on a pump action type of gun, such as a shot gun, the slide fastener 21 permitting access to both the pump mechanism and trigger, as well as the safety. In other words, the hunter can actuate the pump mechanism when slide fastener 21 is open. The only difference between the embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 2 is in the location of the slide fasteners.

While slide fasteners have been shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, any other type of fastener can be used, or if desired, an opening with a suitable flap can be located where the slide fasteners are shown, without the use of slide fasteners or other closing means.

While the embodiments shown in FIGURES 1 and 2 have depicted a. casing having joined sides which are tapered, it will readily be appreciated that the improved casing of the present invention can be made form-fitting for a particular rifle model. In this event, the sides, instead of being tapered, as shown in FIGURES 1 and 2, will essentially follow the profile of a particular rifle to permit a form-fit with a certain degree of looseness, the form-fit enhancing the ability to fire the rifle while encased in the cover. In contrast to the foregoing modifcation, the embodiments shown in FIGURES l and 2 are intended for universal usage in that they will receive practically any type of rifle. In this respect, the embodiments shown in FIGURES 1 and 2 are of generally the following dimensions: 52" long, 7" wide at the stock end and 2. Wide at the muzzle end. In addition, the slide fastener is approximately a foot long. The sides 11 and 12 are fabricated from material having a thickness of 4 mils.

While not specifically shown in the drawings, it is contemplated that the form-fitting embodiments which follow the profile of the rifle can have openings proximate the top seam 13 for permitting the gun sights to project therethrough. This further enhances the firing of the rifle when encased. Also, if desired, flaps 15 and 16 may be omitted.

The improved cover of the present invention is manifestly capable of achieving the above enumerated objects and while preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed, it will be understood that it is not limited thereto but may be otherwise embodied within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A cover for protecting a rifle against the elements while permitting it to be selectively fired comprising an elongated casing for mounting on said rifle said casing including portions for covering the trigger and firing mechanism, a selectively closable opening in said casing for permitting access to said trigger and firing mechanism without removing said casing from said rifle, opening means at one end of said casing for location proximate the muzzle of said rifle when said rifle is located within said casing for permitting firing of said rifle while in said casing and closing means comprising a reverse cuff proximate said opening means for closing said opening means to prevent said elements from reaching said muzzle.

2. A cover for protecting a rifle against the elements and permitting it to be selectively fired while encased in said cover comprising an elongated casing for completely encasing said rifle and including portions for covering the trigger and the firing mechanism of said rifle, a first selectively closable opening in said casing for providing access to said trigger and firing mechanism without removing said casing from said rifle, a second opening at one end of said casing for location proximate the muzzle of said rifle when said rifle is located Within said casing, closing means proximate said second opening for effectively closing said second opening and for opening said second opening for permitting firing of said rifle while in said casing, and a third opening in said casing for inserting and removing said rifle relative to said casing.

3. A cover as set forth in claim 2 wherein said casing is fabricated from thin flexible sheet-like material which can be flolded into a relatively small package which can be carried in a garment pocket.

4. A cover as set forth in claim 3 including means for effectively closing said third opening.

5. A cover as set forth in claim 3 wherein said first selectively closable opening includes a slide fastener for effecting closing thereof.

6. A cover as set forth in claim 3 wherein said casing comprises an elongated generally tubular body portion having first and second planar side members sealed along their longitudinal edges.

7. A cover as set forth in claim 4 wherein said third opening is located at the end of the stock of said rifle when said rifle is located within said casing, whereby 6 said rifle can be slipped directly into said casing through 2,901,018 8/ 1959 Kolpin 224-2 X said opening while said rifle and said casing are in align- 2,990,987 7/1961 Handler et a1. 2241 ment. 3,191,652 6/1965 Benson et a1 224-2 X References Cited 2,364,340 12/ 1944 Bogg. UNITED STATES PATENTS 5 FOREIGN PATENTS 2,985,212 5/1961 -DOZie1 15 52 208,970 7/1940 Switzerland.

2,709,467 5/1955 Hoeppner 1507 2,819,830 1/ 1958 Murray 224-2 HUGO O. SCHULZ, Primary Examiner. 

